A vehicle recovery unit for use with an operating vehicle. The vehicle recovery unit has a frame, a mounting system coupled to the frame, a boom assembly, a pivoting horse head assembly coupled to the boom assembly, a winch, and a cable wound upon the winch. The frame has an angled front plate and a rear plate. The mounting system is configured for releasable attachment to the operating vehicle. The boom assembly is coupled to the frame and extends beyond the front plate of the frame.